Underburner Assembly and Smoking System

ABSTRACT

An underburner assembly connected serially to at least one liquid-filled percolator unit and a smoke collection vessel. The assembly includes a lower base with a raised platform. Attached to the lower base is a combustion source. Disposed over the platform is a support column or a bell. Mounted over the burner and under the support column or bell is a product holder. When the combustion source is ignited, the hot fumes flow upward into the product holder and heats the plant product contained in the product holder. Attached over the top surface of the support column or bell is an air/smoke collection cap. Formed on the cap is an inlet port connected to a compressor that forces air into the air/smoke collection cap and creates a venturi effect that draws smoke formed in the support column into the air/smoke collection. The outlet port on the air/smoke collect cap may be connected to one or more liquid percolating units and to a smoke collection.

This utility patent application is based on and claims the filing date benefit of U.S. provisional patent Application No. 63/045,657) filed on Jun. 29, 2020.

Notice is given that the following patent document contains original material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile or digital download reproduction of all or part of the patent document but otherwise reserves all copyrights.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to heating apparatus used with water pipes or water bongs that create a constant flame that evenly heats a container filled with plant material that undergoes vaporization to create smoke that is then filtered through as liquid.

2. Description of the Related Art

Water pipes or water bongs are popular smoking devices used for smoking with large groups of people. The smoke produced by combusting plant material placed inside a bowl that passes through water to cool and filter the smoke. The filtered smoke is then collected in a smoke collecting vessel. Users then inhale the smoke from the smoke collecting vessel via a mouthpiece.

During use, the bowl is filled with plant material and heated with a butane lighter placed adjacent to the top of the bowl. When a user inhales, the flame is pulled across and into the bowl to combust and vaporize the plant material.

One drawback with using a butane lighter to ignite the plant material in the bowl is that the lighter must be constantly placed against the bowl to maintain a cinder that produces smoke.

Another drawback with using a butane lighter to combust and vaporize the plant material is that it produces smoke with a butane-like aftertaste.

Another drawback is that by placing the flame directly against the plant material in the bowl, plant material combusts, creating and fine particles that can clog-up up the water pipe or water bong.

The smoke created by a pipe, a water pipe or a water bong is delivered from the bowl to a user through an airtight channel and eventually to a mouthpiece. Some pipes, water pipes, and water bongs include a small hole or secondary air channel, known as a carb, on or adjacent to the bowl that the user uses his finger to cover and regulate the airflow through the bowl. When igniting the plant material in the bowl, the user will cover the carb to draw the flame into the bowl. The user will then remove his finger and continue to inhale to draw outside air into the bowl to deliver smoke more easily into the lungs.

What is needed is an improved heating apparatus for a water pipe or water bong that does not require the user to cover and uncover a secondary air channel to adjust the amount of smoke delivered to the smoke collection vessel.

What is also needed is an improved heating apparatus for use with a water pipe that produces a large volume of smoke that can be shared with several users.

What is also needed is an improved heating apparatus that allows the combustion source and the product holder to be replaced without impacting the amount of smoke created in the apparatus.

What is also needed is an improved heating apparatus that can be used to add flavorings to the smoke, to further cool the smoke or provide unique visual characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above drawbacks and needs are addressed by an underburner assembly shown herein that can be serially connected to at least one liquid-filled percolator unit that connects to a smoke collection vessel or collects directly to a smoke collection vessel.

The underburner assembly includes a lower base with a raised platform. Attached to the lower base is a combustion source, such as a lighter, a Benson burner or a candle. In the first embodiment, the raised platform is coaxially aligned over the combustion source and includes a recessed plate cavity with a centrally aligned smoke port. Selectively placed into the recessed plate cavity is one of a set of exchangeable adapter plates each with different size smoke bores formed thereon. The different size bores formed on the adapter plates allow the user to control the flame and the amount of fumes that flow through the smoke port located in raised platform by exchanging the adapter plates.

Disposed over the raised platform and the adapter plate is a support column that includes an upper plate, a lower plate, and a cylindrical body. Extending through the upper plate, the lower plate and the cylindrical body, is a longitudinally aligned center passageway. Hot fumes travel upward through the smoke bore formed on the adapter plate and into the center passageway during use.

In the first embodiment, an elongated screen bowl assembly is selectively placed inside the support column's center passageway. The screen bowl assembly includes an upper plate and an elongated, perpendicularly aligned, downward extending perforated column. The upper plate includes an airway bore that communicates with the center region in the perforated column. The perforated column is filled and packed with combustible plant material. The width of the perforated column is less than the width of the center passageway formed in the support column, thereby creating an air flow space between the inside walls of the center passageway and the outside walls of the perforated column. Holes in the perforated column allows hot fumes in the support column to heat the plant material. The plant material is then vaporized and flows upward through the airway formed in the upper plate.

Attached over the top surface of the upper plate on the screen bowl assembly is a T-shaped air/smoke collection cap. The collection cap includes a perpendicularly aligned airway pin and an inlet port, and an outlet port. The pin includes an airway passageway that communicates with an airway passageway that extends between the inlet port and the outlet port. The pin is configured to fit into the bore formed on the upper plate on the screen bowl assembly. The outlet port is attached to an air conduit that connects to a percolating unit or to a smoke collecting vessel. When the user inhales, vaporized fumes from the plant material in the perforated column travels through the airway passageway formed in the collection cap and then out the outlet port to the percolating unit or directly to a smoke collection vessel.

The input port is connected to the air conduit that connects to a compressed air source. During use, compressed air flows through the air/smoker collection cap and exits through the outlet port. As the compressed air flows through the air/smoke collection cap, a venturi is created inside the air/smoke collection cap that draws hot fumes and smoke from the screen bowl assembly and into the output conduit.

In another embodiment of the cap, a plug is provided that connects to the collection cap and blocks the flow of compressed air and allows the user to use the underburner assembly without the compressed air source.

In another embodiment of the invention, the product holder is a cylindrical structure that fits into a large bore formed on the raised platform of the lower base. The product (holder includes a coaxially aligned lower bore in which the combustion source is inserted. A first set of magnets magnetically holds the product holder in a fixed position on the raised platform. A second set of magnets is used to hold the combustion source in a stacked position under the product holder. Both the product holder and the combustion source are easily inserted and removed vertically into the bore formed on the raised platform during use.

Also, in another embodiment, the support column and the elongated screen bowl assembly are replaced by a transparent glass container, hereinafter called a bell, used to capture the smoke produced by combusting the plant material. Attached over the top surface of the bell is an air/smoke collection cap similar to the air/smoke collection cap used with the first embodiment.

In another embodiment of the invention, a water collection pan is placed under the bell and the air/smoke collection cap is modified to include a water inlet port that connects to a hose that delivers water to the bell. Attached to the water inlet port is one or a plurality of nozzles that sprays water over the smoke collected inside the bell. The water delivered to the bell is collected in the water pan. A drain is installed on the water pan enabling the assembly to be operated continuously. An optional splash guard may be placed over the product holder to prevent water from contacting the plant material.

In another embodiment of the invention, a fruit/ice basin may be placed inside the bell and above the product holder. During use, fruit or ice may be placed inside the fruit/ice basin. A modified splash guard is placed over the product holder that directs smoke into the fruit/ice basin to impart flavorings to the smoke or cool the smoke.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a liquid-cooled and filter smoking device assembly that includes an underburner assembly.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevational view of the underburner assembly.

FIG. 3 is a partial top plan view of the underburner assembly shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the air smoke collection cap being placed over the screen bowl assembly and the screen bowl assembly is filled with plant material.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the support column.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the screen bowl assembly

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the air/smoke collection cap.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the air/smoke collection cap that enables the user to discontinue compressed air flow into the air/smoke collection cap.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a second embodiment of the underburner assembly with a bell used to capture the smoke produced by the combustion source.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a third embodiment of the underburner assembly with the bell used in FIG. 9 and a set of nozzles formed on the air/smoke cap that spray water inside the bell.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a fourth embodiment of the underburner assembly that uses a shower head water dispenser and a fruit/ice bucket placed over a stand, smoke passes through the fruit/ice bucket.

FIG. 12 is a sectional side elevational view of the lower section of the underburner showing the locations of the product holder and the combustion source when attached to the raised platform.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the product holder and combustion source

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Disclosed herein is a smoking device assembly 2 comprising an underburner assembly 10 connected serially to at least one liquid-filled percolator unit (two units 40 and 60 are shown) in FIG. 1. The second percolating unit 60 is connected to a smoke collection vessel 80. During use, smoke produced a vaporizing plant material inside a screen unit is automatically and continuously produced and delivered to the smoke collecting vessel 80.

More specifically, mounted on the underburner assembly 10 is an adapter plate 16, a support column 18, a screen bowl assembly 25 and an air/smoke collection cap 30. The collection cap 30 includes an inlet port that connects to an air compressor 5 that delivers forced air via an air conduit to the collection cap 30. The collection cap 30 includes an outlet port that connects to a second conduit 37 that delivers hot fumes and to one or two perculating units 40 or 50, respectively, directly to the smoke collecting vessel 80.

The key component in the assembly is the underburner assembly 10 shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3. The underburner assembly 10 includes a flat lower base 11 with triangular shaped side walls that converge and terminate at a raised upper platform 12. Located at the center axis of the lower base 11 is a combustion port that connects to a combustion source. The side wall on the two opposite sides of the underburner assembly 10 are open thereby allows air to flow therein and support combustion. During use, the combustion port is ignited which produces flames under the upper platform 12. Formed on the top surface of the upper platform 12 is a recessed plate cavity 13 with a centrally aligned smoke port 15.

Selectively placed inside the recessed plate cavity 13 is an exchangeable adapter plate 16. In the embodiment shown herein, the underburner assembly 10 may be distributed in a kit with two or more adapter plates 16, 16′, 16″ each with different size smoke bores 17, 17′, 17″, respectively, formed thereon. By using adapters 16, 16′, 16″ with different size smoke bores 17,17′. 17″, the user can control the number the size of the flame and the amount of fumes and heat that flow upward to the screen bowl assembly 25 discussed further below.

During assembly, the adapter plate 16 is placed inside the recessed plate cavity 14. Disposed over the upper platform 12 and the adapter plate 16 is a support column 18 shown more clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5. The support column 18 includes a lower plate 19, an upper plate 21, and a support column 23 extending between them. Extending through the lower plate 19, the upper plate 21 and the support column 23 is a center passageway 24.

Disposed on the support column 18 is a screen bowl assembly 25 that includes an upper plate 26 and an elongated, perpendicularly aligned perforated column 28. A bore 27 is formed in the upper plate 26. The perforated column 28 is configured to be filled with combustible plant material 100, 100′, 100″ manufactured in different shapes and degrees of compaction and fit into the center passageway formed on the support column 18. Formed on the sides of the perforated column 28 are a plurality of holes 29. When the combustion port 6 is ignited, the hot fumes flow upward into the support column 18 and heat the perforated column 28 and the exposed plant material 100, 100′, 100″ in the bores 29.

Attached over the top surface of the upper plate 26 on the screen bowl assembly 25 is a T-shaped, air/smoke collection cap 30. The collection cap 30 includes a perpendicular aligned airway pin 34 and an inlet port 35 and an outlet port 36. The pin 34 includes an airway passageway that communicates with an airway passageway that extends between the inlet port 35 and the outlet port 36. The pin 34 is configured to fit into the bore 27 formed on the upper plate 26 on the screen bowl assembly 25. During use, the outlet port 36 is attached to an air conduit that connects to a percolating unit 40 or smoke collecting vessel 80. When the user inhales, vaporized fumes from the plant material 100 in the perforated column 28 travels through the airway passageway formed in the pin 34 and then exits through the outlet port 36 to the percolating unit 40, 50 or directly to a smoke collection vessel 80.

The above described underburner assembly 10 is configured to attach to a compressed air source 5 that connects to the inlet port 35 on the air/smoke collection cap 30. Compressed air flows through the air/smoker collection cap 30 and exits through the outlet port 36. As the compressed air flows through the air/smoke collection cap 30, a venturi is created inside the air/smoke collection cap 30 that draws hot fumes through the support column 18, around and into the screen bowl assembly 25.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the air/smoke cap that enables the user to discontinue the flow of compressed air into the air/smoke cap 130. The cap 130 includes a plug 140 that fits into an upper port 132 formed on the collection cap 130 that blocks the air conduit to the compressed air source 5.

In the embodiment shown in the Figs, the hole 8 formed in the recessed cavity 13 is approximately ⅞ inch in diameter. The holes 17, 17′, and 17″ in the adapter plates 16, 16′, 16″, respectively, are between ⅜ to ⅞ inch in diameter. The length of the support column 18 is between 2 to 4 inches. The width of the perforated screen 28 is approximately ¾ inches, and the diameter of the passageway inside the support column 18 is approximately 1 inch in diameter.

FIG. 1, shows the first percolating unit 40 connected to a second percolating unit 50′ The second percolating unit 50′ includes a delivery conduit 52 that connects to an upper side conduit on the first percolating unit 40. The delivery conduit 52 extends into the second percolating unit 60 and terminates below the cool liquid. The smoke collection vessel 80 connects to the second percolating unit 50′. The smoke collection vessel 80 includes a mouthpiece 80 that enables a user to inhale smoke delivered to the smoke collection vessel 80.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the underburner assembly, indicated by reference number 150 with a bell 160 that rests on the top surface of a lower base 210 and covers a vertically aligned, stacked product holder 220 and a combustion source 240. In this embodiment, the product holder 220, shown more clearly in FIG. 12, is an inverted T-shaped structure with a flat flange plate 222 and a perpendicularly aligned cylindrical body 224. The cylindrical body 224 is configured to fit into a large bore 215 formed on the raised platform 214 of the lower base 210. The cylindrical body 224 includes an upper bore 226 configured to hold plant material 100 and a coaxially aligned lower bore 228 in which the combustion source 240 is inserted. Extending transversely inside the product holder is a perforated partition 230. The flange plate 222 is configured to press against the bottom surface of the raised platform 214. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, a pair of magnets 232 are attached to the top surface of the flange plate 222 that are magnetically attracted to the bottom surface of the raised platform 214.

Also shown in FIG. 12, the combustion source 240 has an inverted T-shaped with a cylinder body 242 configured to fit inside the lower bore 228 formed on the product holder 220. The combustion source 240 also includes a flange plate 244 configured to press against the bottom surface of the flange plate 222 of the product holder 220 with magnets 246. The magnets 246 are magnetically attracted to the flange plate 227 to hold the combustion source 240 on the product holder 220. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the combustion source 240 is a gas burner that connects to an external gas source. It should be understood that the combustion source 240 may be an electric heater, an oil burner or a candle.

Using magnets 232 to hold the product holder 220 to the raised platform 214 and using magnets 246 to hold the combustion source 240 to the product holder 220 enables the user to easily disconnect the product holder 220 and combustion source 240 from the raised platform 214.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a third embodiment of the underburner assembly indicated by reference number 250 that uses the bell 160 shown in FIG. 9 and a set of nozzles 290 formed on a modified air/smoke collection cap 280 that sprays water inside the bell 160. The lower edge of the bell 160 rests inside a water collection pan 170 that collects water from the set of nozzles 290. The underburner assembly 250 uses the product holder 220 described above. Disposed over the product holder 220 is an optional splash guard 280 with more or more side smoke holes 282 formed on its sidewalls. The splash guard 280 is configured to prevent water 180 from spraying directly onto the plant material 100 located in the product holder and extinguishing the flame. The water collection pan 170 includes a drain 175 enabling water to drain from the water collect pan 170 and thereby operate continuously.

As shown in FIG. 11, a fruit/ice basin 300 may be placed inside the bell 160 and above the product holder 220. The fruit/ice basin 300 includes upward extending sidewalls 302 and a performated, lower bottom plate 304. Formed centrally in the bottom plate 304 is a center bore 306. During assembly, the bottom plate 304 rests on a raised platform on the stand 320 that positions the fruit/ice basin 300 in an elevated position inside the bell 16. An elongated splash guard 330 with top smoke opening 332 is also used. During assembly, the elongated splash guard 330 extends into the center bore 306 formed on the fruit/ice basin 300. The smoke produced by combustion of the plant product 100 travels into the elongated splash guard 330, through the smoke holes 332 and directly flows into the fruit/ice basin 300. The smoke 8 then flows over the fruit and ice located inside basin 300 to create fruit-flavored smoke or cooler smoke 8′.

In underburner assembly 250 shown in FIG. 11, a modified air/smoke collection cap 360 is used that includes an air inlet port, a smoke outlet port and a water inlet port 34. The collection cap 360 includes a water conduit that extends into the bell 160. Attached to the end of the water conduit is a showerhead 370 designed to spray water outward towards the outer surface of the bell 160. During use, the showerhead 370 prays water over the smoke collected inside the bell 160 to cool the smoke and also produce a unique visual effect

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9. 10 and 12, the bell 160 is approximately 10 to 20 inches in height and holds 0.5 to 1 cubic feet. 1 to 2 cubic feet of air or smoke. The fruit/ice basin 300 is approximate 6 to 8 inches in height and holds 1 to 2 liters.

Use of the bell 160 is desirable when smoking with a large group of users because it holds a large volume of smoke that can be inhaled by the group. Also, because the product holder 220 and combustion source 240 can be independently exchange without removing the bell 300 from the resting platform 214, the smoke 8 collected inside the bell 160 is not lost when adding more plant material 100 to the product holder 220.

The use of water nozzles 290 and showerhead 370 also provides an unique visually effect when smoking.

In compliance with the statute, the invention described has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown, comprises the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted under the doctrine of equivalents. 

I claim:
 1. An underburner assembly used to produce smoke from combustible plant material, comprising: a. an upper platform with an elevated support surface and a lower air cavity said support surface includes a center port that enables air to flow through said upper platform from said lower air cavity; b. a product holder with a lower flange surface and a perpendicularly aligned hollow, elongated body, said elongated body configured to fit into said center port formed on said support surface of said upper platform, said elongated body includes an upper cavity and a lower cavity separated by a perforated partition; c. a flame support assembly that a lower flange and a perpendicularly aligned upper stem, said upper stem configured to fit axially into said lower cavity formed on said product holder and terminate below-said partition, said upper stem being smaller in diameter than said lower cavity thereby creating an air space between said product holder and said flame support; d. a first holding means used for holding said product holder in said center port formed on said support surface; e. a second holding means for holding said flame support onto said product holder; f. a transparent lid mounted over said upper platform and surrounding said elongated body that extends above said support surface, said lid includes a top opening; and g. an air/smoke collection plate disposed over said top opening formed on said transparent lid, said air/smoke plate includes a perpendicular aligned pin and an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, extending between the pin and the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit is a continuous passageway, the passageway configured to connect to an air source that connects to the input conduit and flows to the outlet port and create a venturi effect that draws hot fumes and smoke from the screen bowl assembly.
 2. The underburner assembly, as recited in claim 1, further including a sprinkler assembly located inside said transparent lid.
 3. The underburner assembly, as recited in claim 2, further including a splash shield located around said product holder.
 4. The underburner assembly, as recited in claim 2, further including a fruit and ice holder located inside said transparent lid.
 5. The underburner assembly, as recited in claim 4, further including a support stand located inside said transparent lid for holding said fruit and ice holder in an elevated location over said support surface of said upper platform.
 6. The underburner assembly, as recited in claim 2, further including a collection pan located under said transparent lid.
 7. The underburner assembly, as recited in claim 6, further including a drain formed on said collection pan.
 8. The underburner assembly, as recited in claim 6, further including a splash shield located around said product holder.
 9. The underburner assembly, as recited in claim 6, further including a fruit and ice holder located inside said transparent lid.
 10. The underburner assembly, as recited in claim 9, further including a support stand located inside said transparent lid for holding said fruit and ice holder in an elevated location over said support surface of said upper platform.
 11. The underburner assembly, as recited in claim 1, further including a smoke collection coupled to said outlet conduit.
 12. The underburner assembly, as recited in claim 11, further including at least one liquid bath disposed between said smoke collection and said outlet conduit.
 13. The underburner assembly as recited in claim 1 where said first holding means is a first set of magnets used for holding said product holder in said center port formed on said support surface.
 14. The underburner assembly as recited in claim 1 where said second holding means is a second set of magnets used for holding said flame support onto said product holder;
 15. An underburner assembly used to produce smoke from combustible plant material, comprising: a. an upper platform with an upward facing recessed plate cavity formed on one side, the recessed plate cavity includes a centrally aligned hot fume port; b. a combustion source located under the upper platform; c. at least two exchangeable adapter plates each configured to be selectively placed inside the recessed plate cavity formed on the upper platform, each adapter plate has a vent hole that is coaxially aligned with the hot fume port formed in the recessed plate cavity, the vent holes on the adapter plates being different sizes to control the amount of hot fumes flowing through the adapter plates; d. a support column disposed over the adapter plate placed into the recessed plate cavity, the support column includes a lower plate, an upper plate and an elongated support column extending between the lower plate and the upper plate, extending through the lower plate, the upper plate and the support column is a longitudinally aligned center passageway; e. a screen bowl assembly mounted over the upper plate on the support column, the screen bowl assembly includes an upper plate with a center hole and an elongated, perpendicularly aligned perforated column configured to be filled with combustible plate material and configured to fit into the center passageway formed on the upper plate and the support column, the perforated column being slightly smaller than the center passageway formed inside the support column thereby enabling hot fumes to travel upward and around the perforated column to heat the plant material located inside the perforated column and also flow upward through the center hole formed on the upper plate; and f. an air/smoke collection plate disposed over the upper plate on the screen bowl assembly, the air/smoke plate includes a perpendicular aligned pin and an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, extending between the pin and the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit is a continuous passageway, the passageway configured to connect to a compressed air source that connects to the input conduit and flows to the outlet port and create a venturi effect that draws hot fumes and smoke from the screen bowl assembly.
 16. An underburner assembly, comprising: a. Lower base with a raised platform b. Product holder located on said raised platform; c. a combustion source located under said product holder; d. a smoke collection vessel location over said product holder, and e. an air/smoke collection plate located over said smoke collection vessel.
 17. The underburner assembly, as recited in claim 16, wherein said smoke collection vessel is a bell.
 18. The underburner assembly, as recited in claim 17, further including a water nozzle configured to deliver water inside said bell.
 19. The underburner assembly, as recited in claim 18, further including a water pan located under said bell.
 20. The underburner assembly, as recited in claim 17, further include a fruit/ice basin located inside said bell. 